... I'd like to introduce you all to MaeLee my new sailing buddy. I wanted to name her "Hobie" but Wife.Com wasn't having it.

I know a few have posted about sailing their AI/TI with a pet on board and invite you to use this thread to discuss this and safety issues associated with it. Of course a PFD is required for anyone aboard my boats but were there any other concerns ?

NoHu - I showed her the Haka's you've designed and we discussed making some just for her ... here's her response

That dog is going to love your AI and will also love leaping into the water at any point. I use to take my labs out on my Adventure. one at a time. I had to hold on to their leash because they loved to leap. Now I take my two doxies out and have a simliar problem with one of them. They haven't been on the AI yet and when I do take them, they will have to be sitting right behind my in the tankwell and not on the hakas.

Thanks Matt and Terry - I haven't had a puppy since I was 5 yrs old and had forgotten how precious they are (and how sharp thier teeth are !!)

My previous Choc. Lab passed in Feb @ 14 yrs old .. She was already too much a senior when i got into the AI's to take her out but being 2 miles from L.I. shore, she was always a water dog and I hope MaeLee is as well.

Of course, I wouldn't take her out on the windy days I prefer to sail on but more so just to be with us on calmer days.

I know Gringo from a few years ago used to take his dog out in Turks and Cacios .. anyone else sail with their pet ?

... Last night she played SuperHero and promply killed the Evil Ball from Planet Krypton saving the Earth from an untimely demise. Tonite she'll fix the ObamaCare website

I had 2 Black Labs, on a boat in the past..... I guess I would advise to give her time to mature before taking her out. I rushed it and brought them out when only 1-2 yrs old. I UNDERESTIMATED THEIR ATTENTION SPAN AND ENERGY LEVELS AT THAT AGE!! The Dog Whisperer advises to thoroughly exercise the dogs before training them, and getting her to sit for a long time on the tramp will be training, at this age. Plenty of treats and short jaunts, even at home with kayak on the grass with AKAs and tramps set up so the dog is familiar with the concept before out on the water. Maybe swim her out prior to launch so that the tramp is a nap on her bed??

Had my Lab jump off boat to bite a fish on the line next to the boat- Became a dog with a jig hook thru lip, scratching the side of the boat trying to get back in and I am stuck in the middle of the lake, by myself! I couldn't heave her in the boat, on my knees so I ended up paddling ashore holding onto dog and leash. I added a platform after that incident!!! You might be surprised how hard it is getting a heavy dog back in the kayak, in the middle of a lake, with waves, kids etc.

That's cute, Larry. I will have to try my two doxies on the spine board hakas on my lake before I take them into the Gulf. At least they are small enough and the "handle" on the back of their lifejackets makes it very easy to grab them if they take a flying leap into the water.